Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Hines
Hi Traci , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Traci, a Southern California native, sang Disney songs and played dress up from the very beginning…and never grew out of her princess phase. She was raised singing her heart out on stages from mega churches and school plays to street fairs, singing gospel music on Sundays, and blues and jazz with her dad’s band at their shows every chance she got. After studying music & theater in college, she tripped and fell into both YouTube and cosplay, and found her niche by combining her love for Disney, music and costuming into high production music videos. She has been producing both cover and original music videos ever since, both for her channel and social media, as well as some of her favorite brands like Disney! As a recording artist, she frequently sings for Disney parks, and is an active music content creator, but her absolute favorite work is as a songwriter. She finds much of her identity in writing and songwriting, and is actively pursuing placement for her original work in film and television with her music partner. Enter Kurt Hunter:
Kurt Hunter transplanted to Southern California from the swamps of Louisiana at 18, to tour with the legendary singing group, The Young Americans. After touring the U.S. and Europe, he began bringing his original songs to open mics and coffee shops around So Cal, eventually leading to a full-time music career as a solo artist for the last 13 years. Kurt not only writes and performs music live, he has also become an accomplished music producer, producing music for artists all over the world, starting way back in the Young Americans’ touring days. Kurt’s creative passions don’t stop with music though; in his spare time, you might find him building original puppet characters and their lore, or practicing his already flawless Kermit impression! Kurt found the perfect combination of magic when his longtime friend Shaun McNamara hired him to compose an entire musical for his comedic puppet stage show parody of “The Princess Bride,” in March of this year (2024). It became the “All Puppet Players” company’s most successful show.
In 2014 Kurt and Traci were paired up by a YouTube-based music collective to produce a musical cover of Frozen’s “Love Is An Open Door,” which went on to viral success and remains one of Traci’s most streamed music video and single releases to date. They worked together periodically over the following 10 years on various Disney covers for Traci’s YouTube channel, and decided to try collaborating on an original song for the first time in 2017. They quickly realized they had something special as a songwriting team, and became music partners at the start of the pandemic. They worked remotely over Zoom from two different states for the past 4 years, to build their ongoing musical presence and catalogue. In October of 2023 they began performing live together across Orange County and LA, soon forming their music duo, “No More Somedays,” which combines Kurt’s musical prowess with Traci’s theatrical style. They specialize in thematic performances, tailoring each show to its event utilizing unique costuming, instruments and curated set lists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the more unique challenges the pair faced was overcoming the barrier to work remotely, when Kurt moved to Arkansas for a few years while Traci stayed in California. During the pandemic, Zoom became their solution, and despite the technical difficulties and the unique system they had to navigate for recording vocals, they found their footing and thrived screen to screen. Their music became supercharged when Kurt moved back to So Cal, allowing them to not only work in person once again, but also form their music duo and begin performing live together for the first time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kurt and Traci spent the summer, fall and winter of 2023 co-producing a large scale, high production music video series featuring 2 original songs, and a cast and crew of over 30 people, all culminating in an explosion of Disney-inspired magic coming to Traci’s YouTube channel in July 2024! What would happen if all the Disney Princesses, along with various other beloved Disney characters and creatures all joined forces for a colorful nostalgia-filled ride singing together for the very first time?! Visit TraciHines.com next week to find out! Traci and Kurt are incredibly proud of the work they’ve done, and would be thrilled for your readers to check it out when the first video drops!
“No More Somedays” is known for their unique takes on cover song mashups, ethereal original music, romantic musical style and seamless harmony blends.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
As entrepreneurs, there’s no shortage of risk, but if you’ve found someone to brave it with you, it doesn’t feel nearly as scary. Traci and Kurt believe the reward isn’t just on the other side, it’s also in the collaboration along the way. They feel lucky to have a partnership and friendship that encourages and supports each artist in their dreams. They believe in each other, and that faith and drive is taking them in exciting directions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kurthunter.com/no-more-somedays
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomoresomedaysmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/tracijhines
- Other: https://linktr.ee/nomoresomedays
Image Credits
Eric Yaras | Fatman Photography
Lovesteria Ball
Eva Lacy of Critterosity
Paper Moon Shoppe
